New York, NY (AHN) – Thousands of New Yorkers marched on City Hall on Friday to protest the proposed budget cuts in a self-described “Rally For New York.”

The rally of labor unions, community groups, and families outside of City Hall brought more than 50,000 people to the streets to speak out against Gov. David Paterson’s funding cuts.

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In an attempt to close the $15 billion state budget deficit, Paterson has proposed cuts across the board, including $2.5 billion in education, $3.2 billion in health care and billions more in cuts to vital programs such as senior services, disability services, housing assistance and crisis intervention programs.

Many of the protestors called for a “fair tax reform” in which New Yorkers making $250,000 or more are subject to higher state taxes.